Carreg Yr Ogof

About Carreg Yr Ogof

Perched on the wild western fringes of the Black Mountain, this limestone-capped spur offers a rugged alternative to the more popular peaks. Its terrain is defined by dramatic shakeholes and weathered pavements, providing an atmospheric vantage point over the remote Sawdde valley and the steep northern slopes of neighbouring Garreg Lwyd.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Welsh as 'Rock of the Cave', a direct reference to the porous limestone geology that defines this part of the range and the extensive subterranean systems found throughout the area.
• •The summit features jagged limestone outcrops and deep shakeholes, offering a stark geological contrast to the Old Red Sandstone peaks found further east in the national park.
• •From the summit cairn, there is a particularly clear view across the glacial cwm to the dramatic, sharp-edged profiles of Picws Du and Fan Brycheiniog.
• •Most walkers approach via the nearby Herbert's Quarry, a landscape of abandoned lime kilns and industrial spoil that serves as a stark gateway to the high moorland.
• •While the name promises a cave, don't expect a welcoming entrance at the cairn; the 'ogof' refers to a honeycomb of hidden fissures that are much better at swallowing rainwater than providing shelter for a lunch break.